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Cyber security and work-from-home become key executive concerns
Cyber crime and data breaches are rated higher as threats by executives in the Asia Pacific than by their global counterparts, with more than half saying security risks had risen over the past 12 months.
Another concern in the region, revealed by Mazars’ annual C-suite barometer report, was the skills shortage and change to work patterns following COVID.
Global head of sustainability at Mazars, Chris Fuggle, said that as businesses made it through to the other side of the pandemic, cyber security and the improved implementation of technology were a new focus.
“A high number of APAC executives feel cybersecurity risks have increased over the past year,” said Mr Fuggle.
“With both cybercrime and data protection regulations on the rise, it’s no surprise that this topic is high on the agenda of the C-suite in APAC.”
About 55 per cent of APAC respondents said that there had been an increase in cyber risks over the past 12 months and they were also more concerned than their global counterparts that a significant data breach would occur within the next year.
Despite this, more than two-thirds of executives were relatively confident that their data was protected.
Another focus of the 1,000 global executives surveyed by Mazars was using technology to advance their business.
Most executives believed technical innovations and associated trends would have a significant impact on businesses and an overwhelming majority said their company would be able to respond through increased investment in IT systems.
Among APAC executives, three in five expected their firm to undergo a technology transformation within the next three to five years.
The skills shortage was another topic of concern, with more APAC executives predicting that hybrid working would be part of a long-term change to businesses as they tried to entice employees through increased flexibility.
“Covid-19 has driven huge transformations in both the way we work, particularly with the move to homeworking (which is expected to be a long-term change for more APAC businesses than the global average), and the leadership skills executives in APAC feel they need,” said Mr Fuggle.
“Competition for talent is immense, as are people’s expectations for the way businesses behave.”
The increased importance of ESG factors among APAC executives was also revealed with 49 per cent responding that it was critical to business growth, compared to 43 per cent globally.
The increased importance placed on ESG by APAC executives was seen as 67 per cent of respondents said their firm already produced sustainability reports, compared to 63 per cent globally.
Mazars C-suite barometer surveyed over 1,000 executives, with over 200 involved in the financial services industry, and approximately 200 located in the Asia-Pacific region.
Josh Needs
01 September 2022
accountantsdaily.com.au
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Clients of Wybenga & Partners Pty Limited can engage our partner firm, Washington Brown, for a competitive price on their depreciation services: Tax Depreciation Quote Request – Wybenga & Partners Pty Limited Clients
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Chris Wybenga
B.Bus, CA
Chris is the Managing Director of the Firm who established the practice in August 1994 and has been responsible for its growth and development since that time.
Chris has over 40-years experience in the Chartered Accountancy profession, predominantly spent in small to medium sized firms, advising both small business and individuals in areas such as taxation and accounting as well as business restructuring and superannuation advice.
Chris is active in the development of young accountants both in mentoring cadets at the Firm and lecturing in taxation for the CA Program for the Institute of Chartered Accountants & New Zealand.
- 1980 – Commenced employment and part time university studies
- 1985 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from University of Technology, Sydney
- 1986 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 1988 – Registered as a Registered Company Auditor
- 1994 – Established Wybenga & Partners (formerly known as Farrar & Wybenga)
Dianne Bechara
B.Bus, CA
Dianne is responsible for the day-to-day operations and administration of the practice.
Dianne has over 30-years Chartered Accountancy experience and has significant expertise in providing advice and solutions to high-net-worth individuals and their associated entities. Dianne also has considerable knowledge in the areas of taxation, business services, superannuation, and compliance.
Dianne is active in promoting gender equality in the industry through various programs and mentoring opportunities. Dianne is also committed to the development of young accountants and donates considerable time to sharing her expertise.
- 1992 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from University of Technology, Sydney
- 1993 – Commenced employment in acounting profession
- 1996 – Commenced career with Wybenga & Partners
- 1997 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 2002 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners
Roger Potter
B.Bus, CA
Roger is responsible for the HR aspect of the Firm, cultivating the culture, and maintaining the highly social environment we pride ourselves on.
Roger has over 35-years in the Chartered Accountancy profession and significant expertise in providing advice and solutions to small businesses and high-net-worth individuals. He also has extensive experience in the areas of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds and retirement strategies.
Roger is active in the development of young accountants both in mentoring cadets at the firm and lecturing in taxation for the CA Program for the Institute of Chartered Accountants & New Zealand.
- 1985 – Commenced employment and part time university studies
- 1990 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from University of Technology, Sydney
- 1992 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 1998 – Commenced career with Wybenga & Partners
- 2002 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners
Tess Uncle
B.Sc, M.Com, CA
Tess has over 22-years experience in Chartered Firms and in this time has had a broad range of experience in superannuation, taxation, and business services. In particular, Tess has had significant experience in MYOB and assisting clients in day-to-day bookkeeping activities and periodic reporting.
Tess is responsible for the Firm’s training and development needs.
Tess is active in promoting gender equality in the industry through various programs and mentoring opportunities. Tess is also committed to the development of young accountants and donates considerable time to sharing her expertise.
- 2001 – Commenced employment with Wybenga & Partners and part-time accountancy studies
- 2004 – Graduated Masters of Commerce from the University of New South Wales
- 2005 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 2007 – Promoted to Manager at Wybenga & Partners
- 2012 – Appointed as Associate Director
- 2016 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners
Schedule a Meeting with Tess
Adam Roberts
B.Bus, B.Sc, CA
Adam has over 18-years experience in Chartered Firms and in this time has had a broad range of experience in superannuation, taxation, and business services. In particular, Adam has had significant experience in MYOB and assisting clients with periodic management reporting.
Adam is responsible for the implementation of technology in the Firm and sourcing new areas of innovation and efficiency.
Adam is active in the development of young accountants and donates considerable time to sharing his expertise.
- 2005 – Commenced employment with Wybenga & Partners and part-time Accountancy Studies
- 2005 – Graduated Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Sydney
- 2007 – Graduated Bachelor of Business from the University of Western Sydney
- 2010 – Admitted as an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand
- 2010 – Promoted to Manager at Wybenga & Partners
- 2012 – Appointed as Associate Director
- 2016 – Appointed as Director of Wybenga & Partners